As we are getting into the juiciness of the first term, I’d like to give an update of what's been going on in my role and what I'm aiming to do over the next couple of weeks. This past week I attended some of the rep training sessions and it was brilliant to see the eager course reps ready to use their voice. There's still some courses without a student rep, so if you think you'd like to stand, drop me an email on surepresentation@bnu.ac.uk.
In the first week of October, I sat on the University’s first meeting surrounding the University Mental Health Charter which BNU have signed up to. Me and Emily, your VPEW for Uxbridge and Aylesbury, will be representing you to make sure the charter will be implemented properly with best practice.
I also recently headed up a meeting around wellbeing week which is due to happen between 5-11 December. We'll be focussing on tackling loneliness with a cosy night in and lots of different skill sessions and activities to help tackle loneliness and being happy in your own space. There were plenty of other meetings I get to sit in on, including Education Committee in which the Digital poverty working group was reinstated but it's great to see it back up and running with some fresh faces.
Over the next few weeks, I'm looking into placements and how BNU and the Students' Union can come together and help support everyone on placements, looking at what's missing and what the needs of the students are. If you have been on placement or due to go on placement then please don’t hesitate to get in touch to give feedback on your experiences or your concerns.
I'm also in contact with the local council on extra funding for Monthly Monday Meals with Brandon and Emily. We originally got funding of £1,020 but with how much success the campaign has had, the council are looking at funding some more so we can help tackle food poverty and keep supporting you during the cost-of-living crisis. We want to make sure we're doing all we can to support you through this, so if you haven't done it yet, please take a moment to fill in my cost-of-living survey to let us know how you're being imapacted. It closes on Monday 31 October but if you fill it in, you'll be entered into a prize draw to win £50!
I hope you're all enjoying term so far, and remember you can always pop in to have a chat.
- Brandon, Vice President Education and Welfare (High Wycombe)